Only a thunderbolt can prevent Vettel from taking flag in Japan

Victory in Korea has steered Sebastian Vettel to within a whisker of a fourth consecutive Formula One world title and it seems there isn’t a car or driver to stand in his way at present.

Nobody likes to see one person or team cleaning up every time they enter a race, but in some instances you just have to tip your cap and seize the opportunity to make a profit.

While fans of F1 are rightly left to bemoan Vettel’s utter dominance over his competitors after a fourth straight Grand Prix victory and a fifth in six races in Korea, punters should be cashing in on his Michael Schumacher-style grip on the sport.

Jumping on odds of 1/500 for Vettel to claim the inevitable fourth straight Drivers’ Championship may be asking too much, but backing the untouchable German to win yet again in Japan at 1/2 is a far more appealing bet.

As his Red Bull teammate’s car went up in flames in Korea, alongside Fernando Alonso’s fading championship dreams, the contrast of Vettel’s serene progress from the front of the grid to the chequered flag could not have been more contrasting.

Traditionally the second half of the season is where Vettel has really stepped on the gas (apologies) and four straight wins since the summer recess backs this up perfectly.

There’s something about the Asian circuits that suits the German down to the ground, as he consistently wins in this part of the world, claiming victories in Singapore, Japan, Korea and India last season.

Vettel has also sprayed the champagne from the top step of the podium at Suzuka in three of his last four visits here.

The high-speed cornering at the unique figure of eight-based track plays to his strengths and, in current form only a miracle will prevent him winning in Japan again.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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